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Screening and treating workplace depression can lead to increased productivity and a decrease in employer costs, according to a new study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

While evidence from previous studies determined that depression can lead to lower productivity and increased absenteeism, implementing screening programs would offer employer’s an undetermined benefit.

The study divided 604 clinically depressed workers into two groups. One group was given an intervention by phone, in person, or with antidepressant drugs. The other group received the usual care of feedback about their depression screening.

After a year, the supported group was 40 percent more likely to be in recovery than the control group. The intervention group also worked an average of two hours longer per week and were 70 percent more likely to continue employment than the other group.

The extra hours worked by the intervention group averaged approximately $1,800 per employee each year, which offsets the few hundred dollars for the prevention and treatment program, according to researchers.

"Depression affects not only a person’s health, but also his or her ability to work," said Dr. Philip Wang, director of NIMH’s division of services and intervention research. "Employers should consider a depression screening and intervention program as a healthy, win-win investment."

Address: National Institute of Mental Health, 6001 Executive Blvd., Rockville, MD 20852; (866) 615-6464, www.nimh.nih.gov.